The Golden State just enacted a new provision to phase out the sale of
all gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The only problem is that the state’s
energy grid is already on the verge of collapsing.
There is
simply no way that tens of millions of cars, trucks and even
tractor-trailers will be able to hook up for a charge all at once, day
in and day out, without killing the grid and leaving the entire state in
the dark.
Researchers from the University of California Irvine
(UCI) say they are trying to figure out how to provide enough
electricity to charge all those cars once the rule comes into effect.
“The
grid does not currently have the capability to add millions of
battery-electric or even fuel-cell electric vehicles today,” says Jack
Brouwer, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UCI.
“So, we have some time to make reasonable investments in the grid to enable this to actually happen and to happen well.”
Southern
California Edison (SCE), an electric company that provides power to
some 14 million customers, says it is making those investments right now
– but will it actually work?
“We have a long-term process in
place to make sure we’re making smart investments in the grid today, so
we’ll have the energy we need five to 10 years down the road,” says Paul
Griffo, and SCE spokesman.
“In fact, Southern California Edison
is investing over $5 billion in modernizing the grid, so that we can
handle the additional needs of our customers in the future, including
electric cars.”...<<<Read More>>>...